The U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved a war powers resolution aiming to block further military action against Iran, marking the first time the chamber has passed such a measure since the conflict began earlier this year. The 50-48 vote followed earlier approval by the House and reflects growing bipartisan concerns over President Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict and the terms of a recently struck preliminary deal with Tehran.

The resolution is largely symbolic and does not carry the force of law, as it is a concurrent resolution not requiring, nor subject to, presidential signature. Nonetheless, its passage puts both chambers of Congress on record against continued U.S. military engagement without congressional authorization. The vote represents the tenth attempt by the Senate to limit the conflict, which began with missile strikes jointly conducted by the U.S. and Israel on February 28 and subsequently escalated tensions across the Middle East.

President Trump responded negatively to the vote on his Truth Social platform, labeling it “poorly timed and meaningless” and asserting it provided “aid and comfort” to Iran. Trump criticized the four Republican senators who supported the resolution—Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Rand Paul, and Bill Cassidy—calling them “losers” who made his job more difficult. The absence of two Republican senators, including Mitch McConnell, who is recovering from a recent hospitalization, contributed to the narrow margin.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer condemned Trump’s military actions as a “historic blunder” and called on Republicans to take a stand against the war. Speaking before the vote, Schumer emphasized the need to end what he described as a costly and misguided conflict. The resolution directs the president to withdraw U.S. forces engaged in hostilities with Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes such military action, aligning with requirements under the 1973 War Powers Act.

The Trump administration maintains that the 60-day ceasefire ordered in April has ended active hostilities and argues that the resolution infringes on constitutional presidential authority during ongoing diplomatic negotiations. The White House has cautioned that limiting the president’s military powers could undermine efforts to finalize a broader agreement with Iran aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear program and easing regional tensions.

The preliminary memorandum of understanding, signed last week by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, initiates a 60-day period intended to culminate in a comprehensive deal involving nuclear inspections, sanction relief, and stability measures for the Strait of Hormuz—a critical maritime route. However, significant disagreements persist. Iran’s refusal to allow UN nuclear inspectors access to sites previously targeted by U.S. and Israeli strikes has raised concerns. Tehran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also indicated that the Strait of Hormuz would not revert to its pre-conflict status of free passage despite ongoing communication efforts.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon seeks approximately $80 billion in supplemental funding, primarily to replenish munitions and defense stockpiles depleted since the campaign’s outset. This figure far exceeds early estimates of the war’s initial costs and reflects broader scrutiny amid economic pressures faced by American consumers.

As Trump prepares to meet with GOP senators following Vice President JD Vance’s diplomatic efforts abroad, the resolution’s passage underscores mounting congressional unease over the trajectory of U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict and the uncertainties surrounding the administration’s emerging diplomatic framework.